Serena Williams produced a masterclass of controlled power at the Queen’s Club Championships yesterday, a performance that harked back to her prime. The American, now 42, dispatched her opponent 6-2, 6-3 in a display of emphatic serving and courtcraft that left spectators and pundits alike marvelling at her enduring athleticism. For a player who has publicly mused about retirement, this was a statement of intent: age has not diminished her capacity to dominate on grass.
The match, played under a cloudless London sky, was a study in contrasts. Her opponent, a rising star of the tour, began with youthful aggression but found herself constantly on the back foot. Williams’s first serve averaged 112 mph, her returns were deep and venomous, and she dictated rallies with a predatory instinct honed over two decades. The first set was a blur; she broke serve twice and closed it out in under 30 minutes. The second set followed a similar script, with Williams breaking early and consolidating with unerring precision.
Tactically, Williams relied on a blend of power and placement. She targeted her opponent’s backhand with surgical accuracy, forcing errors and opening angles for her forehand winners. Her movement, often questioned in recent years, was sharp: she slid into shots and recovered quickly, showing none of the hesitancy that has crept into her game on slower surfaces. The final game was a microcosm of her dominance: three aces and a service winner.
This victory is significant for several reasons. Queen’s has long been a proving ground for Wimbledon contenders, and Williams has made no secret of her ambition to add to her seven titles at the All England Club. More broadly, it reinforces the narrative of her resilience. After a period of injury and inconsistent results, this performance suggests a return to form at precisely the right moment. For British fans, it was also a reminder of the privilege of witnessing one of the greatest athletes in history, still capable of brilliance on their home turf.
The broader context is the shifting landscape of women’s tennis. The tour is replete with young talent, but Williams’s showing at Queen’s is a reminder that institutional memory and experience carry their own power. Her presence elevates any tournament, and her ability to produce such tennis at her age speaks to advances in sports science and her own discipline. For now, Wimbledon will await with bated breath, but the immediate takeaway is clear: Serena Williams is not done yet.
